The defense technology and dual-use startup ecosystem in CEE is still maturing. While there has been a marked increase in innovation, particularly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the region’s defense startups are in the early stages of development. The ecosystem is growing, but it remains somewhat fragmented, with smaller amounts of venture capital flowing compared to Western Europe and the United States.
The government support in CEE for defense startups is increasing, especially through EU-backed initiatives and programs like NATO’s DIANA (Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic). Many startups in CEE rely on foreign investment and contracts to scale.
Below, you’ll find our curated list of early-stage CEE startups developing defense or dual-use technologies. If you know of a noteworthy player, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Orbotix
Specializes in designing and producing advanced autonomous drones and robotics for industry, government, and defense, utilizing expertise in engineering, software development, and defense knowledge to create tailored solutions.
Founding Year: 2023
Country: Romania
Founders: Bogdan Ochiana
Total Funding till date: €492,000
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Leryon Holdings
Current Team Size: 11
Latest Funding Round: Debt Financing, €492,000
Himera
Develops a universal secure communication system suitable for both civilian and emergency situations. It integrates seamlessly into operational awareness systems and is resistant to electronic warfare (EW) thanks to PPRC technology. The system is user-friendly, allowing for quick setup via Bluetooth on a smartphone without requiring specialized training or software.
Founding Year: 2022
Country: Ukraine
Founders: Misha Rudominskyi, Oleksiy Oliynyk
Total Funding till date: €625,650
Stage: Pre-seed
Investors: Green Flag Ventures fund, United Angels Network, business angels
Current Team Size: N/A
Latest Funding Round: €139,000, Grant
M-FLY
Ukrainian defense tech startup M-FLY develops advanced laser targeting devices and semi-active guidance units with a 95%+ hit rate, designed for UAVs and air defense systems. First product iterations are already being tested in combat zones; actively preparing for mass production and sales.
Founding Year: 2023
Country: Ukraine
Founders: Vladyslav Myhovych
Total Funding till date: €1.19 million
Stage: Seed
Investors: Angel investors from Ukraine, Denmark, Grenada, the U.S., and an Estonian miltech company; funds including Resist.ua, MITS Capital, and Freedom Fund
Current Team Size: N/A
Latest Funding Round: €1.19 million
Aleet
Lublin-based Aleet develops sophisticated systems including proprietary digital twin technology for fleet operational planning and AI-driven routing optimization, serving multiple sectors like e-commerce and defense.
Founding Year: 2020
Country: Poland
Founders: Katarzyna Marczuk
Total Funding till date: €1.48 million
Stage: Pe-Series A round
Investors: CofounderZone, FundingBox Deep Tech Fund
Current Team Size: 10
Latest Funding Round: €1.16 million
ZAITRA
Zaitra specializes in developing solutions for satellite autonomy. It aims to support both institutional and private customers from the space industry. Not only does it help with solving complex satellite operations but also helps them reduce communication costs. The company is already assisting human satellite operators by using AI-powered filtering to provide more relevant data from orbit.
Founding Year: 2020
Country: Czech Repubik
Founders: Marek Marusin, Rado Pitonak, Martin Javorka
Total Funding till date: €1.76 million
Stage: Pre-seed
Investors: Czech Founders VC, Sunfish Partners, Jan Široký
Current Team Size: 15
Latest Funding Round: €1.76 million
Bavovna
Develops AI-powered navigation systems for uncrewed vehicles to operate in GPS-denied environments. Their technology combines modular hardware with advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to deliver robust Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions across aerial, surface, and subsurface platforms.
Founding Year: 2022
Country: US-Ukraine
Founders: Maksym Prasolov, Eugene Nayshtetik
Total Funding till date: €2.51 million
Stage: Seed
Investors: Presto Tech Horizons, Network VC, Allied VC
Current Team Size: N/A
Latest Funding Round: €2.51 million
Picogrid
A defense technology startup that has developed a unified platform for autonomous systems, aiming to integrate various defense technologies into a cohesive network. Their core product, Legion, is a cloud-based API designed to connect and control diverse third-party autonomous systems, including drones, unmanned vehicles, and AI-driven surveillance tools. This integration enhances coordination and real-time intelligence in defense operations.
Founding Year: 2020
Country: Slovakia
Founders: Martin Slosarik, Zane Mountcastle
Total Funding till date: €12.07 million
Stage: Seed
Investors: Alumni Ventures, Credo Ventures, DOMiNO Ventures, Giant Step Capital, Initialized Capital, Starburst Ventures
Current Team Size: 20
Latest Funding Round: €1.1 million, Grant
